Vallejoan opens campaign for lieutenant governor

Vowing to represent those without representation in Sacramento, Vallejo native Jena Goodman kicked off her campaign for lieutenant governor on the steps of City Hall Thursday.

Amid a crowd of nearly a dozen supporters, Goodman, 28, outlined her platform for her run for office on the Green Party ticket. Her name will appear on the June primary ballot.

She is running against Democratic incumbent Gavin Newsom, Republican challengers Ron Nehring and John Estrada and Independent Howard Leonhardt.

Only the top two vote-getters in the June primary advance to the November election.

Goodman is a University of California at Davis student pursuing a bachelor's degree in Biological Anthropology and Ecology. She graduated last year from Napa Valley College with associate degrees in arts and humanities, and natural sciences.

Acknowledging she faces an uphill battle against Newsom and Nehring, Goodman said she is running a grassroots campaign which will center mainly on California college campuses. She also said she is getting a lot of support from the Green Party.

Joining her on the Vallejo City Hall steps were her campaign committee members, including former Napa Valley College student trustee Ruscal Cayangyang of Vallejo, and current college student trustee Alex Shantz of Napa.

Goodman's platform includes restoring free classes at California's community colleges and universities, promoting a green economy, restoring the Delta and pushing for better environmental controls. She also supports a higher minimum wage and vowed to support small businesses.

"I will be representing those who are not being heard at the state capitol," she said.

Goodman has never held political office except as president to the Associated Students of Napa Valley College in 2012-2013. She is also former chair of the Solano County Green Party.

In addition, she is a student liaison to the student representative who serves on the University of California Board of Regents. At age 28, she is the youngest candidate and the only woman on the ballot for lieutenant governor.

She said her light class schedule this year gave her enough time and opportunity to pursue higher office, and added she wants to inspire other young people to succeed and pursue their dreams.

"I'm hoping to set an example for my generation," she said. "We need to reinvigorate the youth."

A 2003 Hogan High School graduate, Goodman attended Beverly Hills Elementary and Vallejo Middle School before enrolling at Napa Valley College.

Both she and Shantz said the Green Party is founded on the pillars of social justice and non-violence. It does not take any corporate sponsorships or donations.

If elected, Goodman would serve on the University of California Board of Regents, California State University Board of Trustees, and on the Commission for Economic Development.

She said she chose to pursue the lieutenant governor position because she wants to be involved in shaping and influencing public policy.